Rybelsus and Loss Of Appetite: What Users Say

• Dai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 23, 2023

"I wanted to write this early in the process of taking this medication because I know how it feels to be scared to take this tablet. I’m on it for weight loss in the UK cost £139. I read a tip to take it early in the morning, I usually take it between 4 am-6 am. I started taking it 2 days ago. The first day I felt fine with no side effects, the second day I was feeling a bit nauseous but it was manageable. Today my appetite has decreased already and I only want small amounts to eat, the thought of a large meal makes me feel ill. I’m intrigued to know if this will stay or go. If it lasts I will be one of the lucky ones. I weigh about 268 lbs so I will come back in two weeks and let you know. I hope the side effects don’t ramp up each day I take it. We will see."

• Gum...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 28, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "I’ve been on Rybelsus since 1 December at a dose of 3 mg. January 1, I started 7mg. I don’t like taking medication and was scared of this medication due to other reviews I have read. I am very pleased with the outcome. I lost 5 lbs with very little exercise. My side effects were nausea and loss of appetite. Nausea only occurred when I ate junk food and sweets. A1c down from 7 to 6.2. Plus, I do not take any other meds for diabetes. Hope my review will help others. February 28."

• Koo...
• May 1, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been taking Rybelsus for 6 months. At first, I was nauseous and had bad sulfur burps, but it went away. My A1C is the best it's been in 9 years. I have had a hard time treating my diabetes, as most other oral medications and daily injections just made life harder. Now, my numbers are 6.7, and I have lost a significant amount of weight, 335 lb to 285 lb, with minimal effort. It definitely suppresses my appetite. I've read you can only lose a few pounds, but I feel like a lucky one."

• Sai...
• October 17, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "Dr. ordered 3mg 30 days ago to be added to Metformin 2000mg. Blood sugars have decreased from a range of 200-350 to 120-150. Weight reduced by 14 pounds. I experienced nausea and fullness for the first two weeks. That has tapered off but appetite suppression has continued. After a month, the doctor is pleased with the results, as am I. He has ordered me to continue on the 3mg and my insurance has agreed to cover it with a copay I can afford. I am so grateful for this new med!"

• joa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "Dr put me on Rybelsus since I had bad luck with Trulicity and feeling sick every time I took the shot. The first month of the dose 3mg, I noticed I never ate. I had a complete lack of appetite. I was exhausted, had weird dreams, and a constant feeling of anxiety, and sometimes insomnia. I put up with it. The second round with the 7 mg, the first day I was sicker than heck. I felt like I was on a cliff dangling, my anxiety turned into panic, rapid heartbeat, and I was unable to sleep. I stopped after day 4. I called the doctor but she never got back to me. I am debating trying to take 7mg every other day or go back to the 3mg and see if there is a difference now that it is almost out of my system. It is brutal to the body. The warnings say nothing about the feelings of anxiety or the insomnia."

• CAD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "I’m prediabetic, HbA1c 5.7. And I’ve been struggling to lose weight for 20 years. I have an excellent diet, but I eat too much. I’m hungry all the time. I started Rybelsus (paying out of pocket - Ouch) to see if it’s worth hassling my insurance company. On 3 mg, I felt nothing - no nausea, but experienced loose stools. When I went to 7 mg, I felt nausea for 1 hour after taking the pill and decreased appetite the rest of the day. I am easily staying on my 1400-1500 calorie diet, which has never been easy for me in the past. At 1 month of 7 mg, I’ve lost 8 pounds (255 to 247) and feel very encouraged. The science behind this medicine is inspiring."

• Jer...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 20, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "It was a disaster for me. My A1C used to stay between 7.5 and 8.5, and morning fasting readings were high, like 130 to 160. Increasing Glimepiride from 4 mg up to 8 mg didn't work. My doctor started me on 3 mg/day of Rybelsus. It caused constipation, upset stomach, and a lot of burping. But morning fasting readings came down to around 100, so I was tempted to try it out. After finishing the 3 mg dose for 30 days, I started taking 7 mg/day. My symptoms worsened: constipation, loss of appetite, noisy stomach, lots of burping, GERD, and weight loss from 152 lbs to 139 lbs in just about a couple of months. I could not afford to lose any more weight. I also saw some foamy urine indicating it was affecting my kidney function too. I stopped taking Rybelsus under my doctor's advice, and since then, the constipation is gone, the burping is gone, the appetite is good, and life seems back to normal. I still need to check on my kidneys for any issues since foamy urine is still there. The last A1C was 7.9."

• L0v...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "Second day on Rybelsus 3 mg. I was too afraid to try it, but I'm glad I did. No side effects at all except for the loss of appetite. I will return and provide an update. I need to lose 60 lbs. I have tried Victoza and Invokana and got very sick within the first couple of days of taking them, so I hope Rybelsus is the answer for me. I exercise and watch my diet, but my glucose levels were still too high."

• Rit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "For the first three weeks on this drug, I had oscillating constipation and diarrhea. I felt very nauseous and did not want to eat much. After upping the dosage, the digestive problems have decreased, but I still feel nauseous and don't have much of an appetite. I have been on it since November and have lost 16 lbs. with Metformin, diet, and exercise."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have pre-diabetes and obesity and started on the 3 mg dose for the first month and then moved to 7 mg. I was very nauseous and found I could eat very little. I had no appetite. Great for weight loss, but I felt really bad. Maybe two weeks into the 7 mg dose, it was a little better. Then the doctor wanted me to move to 14 mg. I don't like to throw up, and it became too much for me to tolerate. I asked to go back down to the 7 mg dose and have done fine on that ever since. Definitely still keeps appetite in check. Five months in, and I’ve lost 35 pounds. Also showing improvement in my blood sugar levels."

• MDG...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "First, I started on Rybelsus, the 3mg dose, my blood sugar went up over 200. I stopped on the third day, went back to my old meds, and my levels returned to normal. No nausea, no diarrhea, no side effects of any kind. (I did follow the directions to take it first thing on an empty stomach and not eat for thirty minutes.) Dr. switched me to the 7mg dose, so far my blood sugar is running higher than my old meds. I am on day four, so I want to give it plenty of time. I do notice a lack of appetite. At this point, I am not impressed, but I am willing to give it more time before throwing in the towel."

• Tim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 28, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I am on my second month on Rybelsus. My A1C was 11.1 when I went to the doctor 3 months ago, and I weighed 201 at 5’4. I felt like I was going to have a stroke, in spite of being on metformin. The doctor put me on Glimepiride to quickly lower my sugar. That helped me to manage cravings, feel better, eat better, and start walking. My blood sugar would drop too low, though, and I would have to eat to bring it up. The doctor took me off that and put me on Rybelsus in addition to Metformin. I have not had any side effects other than decreased appetite, especially now that I’m on 7 mg. It's been almost 2 months on Rybelsus, and I now weigh 189 lb. I also got a Libre Freestyle 2 so I can check my sugar as much as I want with my phone and see how my body reacts to various foods. Combined together, total game changer! Highly recommend! It tells me my blood sugar average is now 118, and it keeps trending down. I am hopeful for the first time in a long time."

• AJa...
• July 4, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been taking 3 mg Rybelsus since June 4th. I am not experiencing nausea nor diarrhea, however, I am experiencing constipation and loss of appetite. Since I have been taking this medication, I notice I get tired very quickly. Overall, I notice that it has helped my diabetes tremendously, and I have lost 8 lbs with very little exercise. I also take metformin 750 ER. Before starting Rybelsus, my A1C was 8.1, I do expect it to be much lower on my next visit in September."

• Has...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 7, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Rybelsus for almost 7 months, the first 3 months I was on 3 mg, then increased to 7 mg three months ago. I was previously on glimepiride and metformin for blood sugar control, but I was having multiple lows. My doctor replaced the glimepiride with Rybelsus. So far, I have lost 44 lbs and my A1C went from 7.3 to 6.6 after only 3 months. The only side effect I have is decreased appetite, which has helped immensely with the weight loss. I think this is a weight loss drug. With the weight loss and decreased appetite, obviously, your A1C levels are going to be lower. I am happy with the weight loss, I am just concerned as to when it will finally plateau and even out and if my appetite will return at some point. I have also been suffering from some insomnia, but I suffered from that periodically prior to the change of medication. I wish my insurance would cover it at the copay of $10.00 instead of it being on the list of higher-cost medications."

• Dud...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 8, 2024

For Type 2 Diabetes "Lost too much weight, lost my appetite for food and life, until my diabetic nurse told me to stop the tablet at once. I had to go to A&E with a UTI, but while there they told me to see my GP and get a two-week referral. I looked so ill they thought it was cancer. Thankfully, it was not cancer. I’ve been off Rybelsus for three weeks and I am eating normally and feel much better. I believe in all honesty it would have been a close thing between me and death."

• CRK...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 16, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "My doctor gave me a sample box of 3 mg Rybelsus for T2D. I could only tolerate it for 10 days. The first thing I noticed was my appetite was gone. As days went on, I felt like I was in my first trimester of pregnancy, although I didn’t ever feel like vomiting. Continuous nausea, lack of appetite, lethargy, and horrible constipation were my friends during the time I took the drug and for about a week afterward. I ended up in the ER with terrible IBS with very painful cramps. I thought I had a blockage from no BMs for 12 days. After being off the drug for about a week, one day I woke up and the symptoms were gone (about a week after I stopped taking it). I felt like myself again. During that short time period, the pounds just started melting off me, and I only weighed 138 going into this. I dropped down to 130. I really wanted this drug to work for me. My doctor tried to prescribe Trulicity after this. No way. It’s too similar. My A1C is 8. Not sure where to go from here."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 28, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was on Metformin and had an A1c of 8. The doctor told me to get off Metformin and gave me a sample of 3 mg Rybelsus and prescribed the 7 mg dose after 1 month. My morning blood sugars with Metformin were 111 to 88. With Rybelsus, my blood sugar in the morning has been 148 to 208! I had diarrhea with Metformin, but that went away with Rybelsus, however, my stomach has become bloated, lots of burping, slightly nauseous, no appetite, a tightness in my chest, and now that I am using the 7 mg dose, I have become exceedingly tired with zero appetite. Today my blood sugar was 177. This is unacceptable. It was way lower with Metformin. I am quitting this. I can't be this tired and feeling so ill. I used to have energy with Metformin, but Rybelsus has completely drained it. I feel the doctor had just been visited by the Big Pharma salesman and gave her the sales pitch, and she started prescribing it. Is she getting a kickback? This Rybelsus is not good and causes cancer."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2023

"I started this medication on Dec 20th, 2022, 3 mg when my doctor told me I was diabetic. I weighed 206 lbs. A1C 6.5. The first month on this, I was nauseous and felt sick. At 30 days, I told him what I felt. He said, 'I am putting you on 7 mg now. Your body will get used to it.' Here I am now, 3 months later, and I am so sick. I get nauseous still, have constipation, diarrhea, and loss of appetite, and the smell of food at times is so nasty. I am constantly feeling sick, dizziness, and I feel lightheaded, always exhausted, no energy, which scares me. My A1C is lower now, 6.1. I have pretty much stopped having sweets, carbs, or anything bad. Weight loss is out of control. My current weight is 157 lbs today when I went to the doctor. I have lost 49 lbs in 4 months. I told him I can’t take this anymore. He changed me to metformin 500 mg, let’s see how this one works. This medication hurt me more than it helped me."

• ric...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've been on Rybelsus for a little over a month for PCOS and have had an overall positive experience - just started the 7 mg dose. My doctor recommended it since I am at risk for type 2 diabetes (>30 BMI, borderline high fasting glucose with a normal A1C, and signs of insulin resistance from PCOS). I get some pretty extreme nausea whenever I eat junk food (fatty and/or sugary), but otherwise feel good. I'm hoping that the nausea I do get helps instill better long-term eating habits. I've also experienced appetite suppression, which has helped me prioritize proteins and vegetables. I did get alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea when starting this medicine and am expecting that I'll experience the same with the dose increase. I have felt far more energy, and my cravings for junk food have drastically reduced. So far, I've lost slightly more than 10 lbs and am shooting for another 50 to help get my PCOS under control."

• DLy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "Have been taking the low dosage for 2 weeks now. I have no appetite and have dropped about 7 lbs during that time. The problem is constant GI pain. No nausea, just never-ending constipation and gut pain. I am taking myself off this until I can find an alternative. The weight loss is nice, but the pain just isn’t worth it."

• GEL...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2024

For Type 2 Diabetes "Find it difficult to take as it makes me quite nauseous. I have been taking it at 12 noon one hour before my lunch. I started off taking it at 3 a.m. when I usually awaken for a visit to the loo, and this lowered my blood glucose very well in the early morning, but then I was not getting enough sleep. However, I could not cope with the side effects and stopped taking it. Since reintroducing it, my morning glucose readings have been in the region of 12-15 mmol/l, which is not great. However, I am on 7mg of Rybelsus. I cannot drink more than 2 glasses of wine, which is good. Also, it has reduced my appetite substantially, which is also good, and I lost 3 kg in weight when I started taking it."

• Ryn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started on this medication in December. It immediately lowered my blood sugar, however, it made me very nauseous and have a loss of appetite. It is now February, and I have lost 15 lbs. I still don’t have much of an appetite these days. I find eating very light meals 2x a day helps a lot. Trying to stick with it."

• Geo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "Been on Rybelsus 3 mg for 16 days. Sugars have improved somewhat already, and weight down about 5 pounds, unexpected. BUT, no appetite, stomach feels full all the time, hard to even drink enough water each day because stomach so uncomfortable. Constipation that is not very responsive to Miralax. Cold hands. Some nausea. More heartburn than usual. Increased fatigue. And the worst is: dizziness and/or vertigo and a feeling of weird fullness in my head along with tinnitus. What the heck? Given the high cost, and that I've all these effects even before going on the 7 mg dosage, I don't think it's worth it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "Had usual side effects, 3 mg increased appetite and sugar levels. 7 mg nausea, decreased appetite and lost 9 lbs, A1C down to 7.8 from 8.7. On for 3 months and just starting constipation. Next visit, Dr. will up to 14 mg. Will see how that goes…"

• mem...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 11, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I experienced slight stomach issues, mild diarrhea for about 5 days on and off... no nausea or other side effects except a decreased appetite, but after 3 months my hunger has kind of returned. My blood sugar came down about 60 points... on 7 mg so I am not sure what will happen when I go to 14 mg. Overall, this medicine is very good and very, very expensive."